Current topics in polymer science

The basic goal of the course is to give students a theoretical and practical knowledge in advanced, current topics in polymer science. These will cover advanced synthesis, characterization, application and sustainable technologies. At the end of the course students will be able to prepare own definition of research topic and prepare research plan. They will be able to follow and research relevant scientific literature as key basis for work.

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Challenges in modern polymer science
- Functional polymers (structure properties relationship; copolymers; molecular ordering
- Synthesis methods
- Sustainable polymers (biobased content, biodegradability, sustainable use, waste management, recycling, circular economy)
- Applications (composites, conductivity/insulation, self-healing, formulation).
- In depth study of selected topic

Understanding current polymer science development trends
Understanding current state-of-the-art, Knowledge of open challenges in polymer materials
Understanding rationalle underlying ongoing research (e.g. sustainability and functionality)
Knowledge of selected directions in current polymer science research (synthesis, characterization, correlation between properties and structure, molecular ordering)
Practical knowledge of sample preparation measurement techniques (e.g. NMR, MALDI, GPC,DSC,TGA, DMA) and result interpretation
Experience with independent study of select topics in current scientific literature.
Experience in preparing research plan.
Experience in solving real research problems.
Experience in preparing report on research.
Experince in preparing manuscript of scientific literature.

• 50th Anniversary Perspective (Special edition), Macromolecules, 2017, 50,(23) https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.7b02507 E-version
• Recent Developments in the Synthesis of Biomacromolecules and their Conjugates by Single Electron Transfer–Living Radical Polymerization,Gerard Lligadas, Silvia Grama, and Virgil Percec, 2017 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00197 E-version
• Polymer Conformation—A Pedagogical Review, Zhen-Gang Wang, Macromolecules, 2017, 50 (23), pp 9073–9114 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.7b01518 E-version
• Integrating Mussel Chemistry into a Bio-Based Polymer to Create Degradable Adhesives, Courtney L. Jenkins, Heather M. Siebert, and Jonathan J. Wilker, 2017 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.6b02213 E-version
• Supramolecular Hydrogel Formation Based on Tannic Acid, Hailong Fan, Le Wang, Xunda Feng, Yazhong Bu, Decheng Wu, and Zhaoxia Jin, 2017 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.6b02106 E-version
• Are Polymer Nanocomposites Practical for Applications?, Sanat K. Kumar, Brian C. Benicewicz , Richard A. Vaia and Karen I. Winey, 2017 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.6b02330 E-version
• There Is a Great Future in Sustainable Polymers, Deborah K. Schneiderman and Marc A. Hillmyer, 2017 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.7b00293 E-version

Oral examination, Presentations of the projects, Research work 50/20/30%

Associated lecturer at level of associate professor Andrej KRŽAN, PhD is a senior scientific associate at the National Institute of Chemistry, and a lecturer on Waste management at the University of Nova Gorica. His research area are environmental aspects of polymers and plastics covereing e.g. biobased and biodegradable polymers, recycling, microplastics pollution, circular economy aspects. Dr. Kržan is strongly involved in national programes on polymers (Centre of Excellence PoliMat, SRIP Materials as products) and is active in coordination of international projects.

Izbrane objave /selected publications
Degradation of PLA/ZnO and PHBV/ZnO composites prepared by melt processing, ANŽLOVAR, Alojz, KRŽAN, Andrej, ŽAGAR, Ema.Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 2017, doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2017.07.001
IF 4.553

Synthesis of dendronized poly(L-glutamate) via azide-alkyne click chemistry. V: PERDIH, Peter, KRŽAN, Andrej, ŽAGAR, Ema. Materials (Basel), 2015, 9 (4) 1-15, doi: 10.3390/ma9040242.
IF 2.728

Polyoxometalate salts, proton exchange membranes and precursors, membrane electrode
assemblies, fuel cells and methods. S.Hočevar, A.Kržan: WO 2016/045754 (A1), 2016-03-31. World Intellectual Property Organization, International Bureau, 2016.
nima IF

Uptake and effects of microplastic textile fibers on freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna., JEMEC, Anita, HORVAT, Petra, KUNEJ, Urban, BELE, Marjan, KRŽAN, Andrej. Environmental pollution, 2016, 219, p 201-209, doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.10.037.
IF 5.099

Emissions of microplastic fibers from microfiber fleece during domestic washing. PIRC, Urša, VIDMAR, Maja, MOZER, A., KRŽAN, Andrej. Environmental science and pollution research, 2016, 23, p 22206-22211, doi: 10.1007/s11356-016-7703-0.
IF 2.76

Identification and assessment of riverine input of (marine) litter: VAN DER WALL, Maarten, VAN DER MEULEN, Myra, TWEEHUIJSEN, Gijsbert, PETERLIN, Monika, PALATINUS, Andreja, KOVAČ

VIRŠEK, Manca, COSCIA, Lucia, KRŽAN, Andrej. SFRA0025 final report for the European Commission DG Environment under Framework Contract No ENV.D.2/FRA/2012/0025. 2015
nima IF

Microplastics as a vector for the transport of the bacterial fish pathogen species Aeromonas salmonicida. KOVAČ VIRŠEK, Manca, LOVŠIN, Marija Nika, KOREN, Špela, KRŽAN Andrej, PETERLIN, Monika.Marine Pollution Bulletin (2017), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.08.024
IF 3.146

Sea surface microplastics in Slovenian part of the Northern Adriatic, GAJŠT, Tamara, BIZJAK, Tine, PALATINUS, Andreja, LIUBARTSEVA, Svitlana, KRŽAN, Andrej. Marine pollution bulletin, 2016, 113, p. 392-399, doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.10.031.
IF 3.146

Plastic bag and facial cleanser derived microplastic do not affect feeding behaviour and energy reserves of terrestrial isopods, JEMEC KOKALJ Anita, HORVAT Petra, SKALARC Tina, KRŽAN Andrej. Science of the Total Environment, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.020
IF 4.900

A novel structure of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) stabilized by MoS[sub]2 nanotubes. REMŠKAR, Maja, ISKRA, Ivan, JELENC, Janez, ŠKAPIN, Srečo D., VIŠIĆ, Bojana, VARLEC, Ana, KRŽAN, Andrej. Soft matter, 2013, 9, p 8647-8653, doi: 10.1039/c3sm51279g.
IF 4.151